US railroad Union Pacific plans to transform its terminal outside Chicago to serve as space for containers arriving from the ports of California, according to an article by Journal of Commerce (JOC).

Union Pacific’s Global IV terminal in Joliet in, Illinois, will move from the “wheeled operation” model to a “grounded operation” model. This means that containers will no longer be placed in parking spots but rather stacked.

According to JOC, the new model will affect tens of thousands of containers coming from the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oakland and will require close cooperation with chassis providers in the area.

While the change will make space for more containers in the terminal, it might reduce the practicality and the time needed to move containers on trucks.

Placing containers in parking spots allows for speedy transfer of containers via overhead cranes, but when containers are stacked, more moves are required to complete a transfer.

However, the new model will help Union Pacific handle containers faster when a surge in imports occurs. Luke Slawson, UP’s general director of intermodal, told JOC that one of the issues the transition will solve is the frustration with the chassis pool.

“Boxes are going to be available regardless of if you want to use private chassis or pool chassis. We're going to be in a better position to serve customers going forward,” said Slawson.

The railroad told JOC that the transition process would be complete in April.